Srinagar
Octogenarian Hurriyat Patriarch Syed Ali Geelani on Thursday said that peace in Kashmir and peaceful ties between India and Pakistan will remain a distant dream until the commitment with the people of Kashmir is fulfilled and issue resolved as per their aspirations.
Geelani while referring to New Delhi said that they are following “fanatical dogma” and as such are creating misery and hardships for the people of this region.
Geelani was speaking during a meeting with a delegation led by veteran congressman Mani Shankar Aiyar who called on him at his residence in Hyderpora.
The delegation also comprised O P Shah, I D Khajuria, Kapil Kak (Retd Air Vice Marshal), and Vinod Sharma.
“We will never surrender,” Geelani told the delegation and made it clear that Jan Sangh regime in Delhi won’t make us to succumb or deter us from pursuing our mission. “We will pursue our mission till last solider leaves Jammu Kashmir,” said Geelani.
During the interaction, the deputation expressed their desire for a conducive atmosphere for education and discussed the negative impact of prevailing uprising in Kashmir valley.
Geelani said that we are more serious and desirous to maintain peace, however it is pertinent to identify the culprits that are creating disturbance in educational institutions.
“Wrong policies, arbitrary measures and unjustified use of force against students is the root cause of present mayhem,” said Geelani. “The students came on roads when these institutions were raided by forces,” added Geelani.
Geelani said that these students unnecessarily were thrashed and later these video clips were uploaded on social media to terrorize student community. We do care for these students and we want to see them pursuing their education,” said Geelani, however it is well thought out move to disturb student community, and its main aim is to make their future bleak.
Geelani while apprising deputation about the student community and their sufferings, said that scores of students were arrested and frivolous and false cases registered against them.
Geelani in his detailed report said that six thousand people were maimed, hundreds blinded and more than eleven thousand arrested during peoples uprising.
“It is very strange that these detainees are rearrested despite the court orders,” said Geelani and added that authorities are making unnecessary hurdles in their release.
Geelani said that it is very sorrowful that we are being ill-treated and manhandled by those who are very serious to save cow but have least or no respect for human lives.
“Whatever you see it is a reaction and it is quite natural phenomenon that more they use brute force the more reaction and resentment from people will be there,” said Geelani.
Geelani said that during Congress regime in Delhi, the situation was no different. “We experienced the same brute behavior and Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and Mohammad Afzal Guru were hanged. It is very sad that even their mortal remains were not returned to their families,” said Geelani.
Referring to history Geelani said that Congress is responsible for present mess and it was the first prime minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru who made commitment with the people of Jammu Kashmir.
While referring to present awful situations in valley, Geelani said that virtually we are reeling under martial law like situation.
“There are curbs on political activities and even leaders are not allowed to meet. Since last seven years’ authorities have placed me under house arrest and are baring me from religious and social obligations.”
Geelani expressed his deep concern about escalating tension between India and Pakistan and said that we are not in favor of war as both are nuclear powers. “Any flare may destroy and devastate whole subcontinent. We know that through parleys we can solve complex situations including Kashmir issue, however Kashmir is not integral part of India and Indian authorities should avoid parroting about this. We have no enmity with India or its people and all of us are a part of human society and as such bonded in mutual relations,” said Geelani.
Taking dig at Indian media, Geelani said that they are biased and are spreading concocted stories and wrong information to people in India.
“We are just pursuing our right and demanding right to self-determination, however, India through its repressive force is trampling our rights and strangulating our genuine demands,” said Geelani.
